I just learned today that I can no longer get my script for Cymbalta filled, as it has been discontinued by Eli Lily! I was told I was given a phone call on July 29th. I’ve no recorded call with that info. I have the same problem another patient wrote about. Brand name is necessary for me. as the generic blurs my vision. I have paid $375.14 per month to get the brand name. I have taken every SSRI antidepressant there is out there except for Pristiq. Just this past spring I went through a long period of time getting weaned off of Cymbalta and onto Paroxetine. It was six long weeks of agony. Once I was completely off Cymbalta (90mg./day) I was on only the Paroxetine. 2 weeks into the switch, I developed an internal quaking and my hands shook! Then by the 6th week, on only Paroxetine, my dreaded panic attacks began. They were relentless. I was afraid to even get out of bed in the morning. I was losing wt. rapidly (the only good thing from this debacle, but a heck of a way to do it!) Finally, with the help of my very excellent practitioner I made my way back to the 90 mg. of Cymbalta. It has taken many weeks to feel safe again and the panic attacks stopped.
I read on another website today that those of us who desperately need brand name Cymbalta are just going to have to go to the generic brand or switch to a different med!
That is ridiculous and dangerous! It takes six carefully monitored weeks to change SSRI’s safely! It even stated withdrawal symptoms could develop! How about death!!!??? It is unsafe to go almost cold turkey doing it so rapidly! One would think the Fat Cats in big pharma would be aware of those risks! This needs to be addressed to Eli Lily!!! Petitions, a class action suit , whatever! They can not endanger our lives!!!